A Theoretical Perspectives of Women Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Alfred Marshall, pioneer of Neo-classical school has laid emphasis on "Entrepreneur" as an indispensable factor of production. Entrepreneur has been defined in the traditional literature as a person who undertakes business and bears associated risk [Cantillon, R.18th century], innovative ability [Schumpeter, 1930], high need achievement [McClelland, 1961], religious belief [Max Weber, 1930], socially good and economic background [Hoselitz, 1960, Hagen, E.E, 1986, Berna, 1960, Gulabsing, 1986, Weber, 1930, Hisrich and Gyulai, 1994-1995, Cole 1949, Sharma, 1975, Hameed, 1974], business community [Dwijendra Tripathi, 1971]. Entrepreneurship has been the indispensable factor contributing for the development of many countries. It is the dearth of entrepreneurship, which has been the foremost factor for backwardness of developing countries like India. Today's world is changing at startling pace, political and economic transformations seem to be occurring everywhere - as countries convert from command to demand economics, dictatorships move toward democracy, and monarchies build new civil institutions. These changes have created economic opportunities for women who want to own and operate business. Today, women in advanced market economics own more than 25% (percent) of all business. In some regions of the world, transformation to a market economy threatens to sharpen gender inequality. Some of these changes are simply the legacy of a gender imbalance that existed prior to political and economic reform. Other changes reflect a return to traditional norms and values that relegated women to a secondary status. As countries become more democratic, gender in equalities lesson: thus, offering a more productive atmosphere for both sexes. Given the background, women entrepreneurs face several barriers when entering into business and recognizing challenges: 1) Behavioural barriers 2) personal barriers 3) Socio-Cultural barriers 4) Educational barriers 5) Economic and Political barriers 6) Financial barriers 7) Personnel or Managerial barriers and 8) Marketing barriers. The purpose of the paper is following to understand: The current literature on definition of the term "Entrepreneurship"; Why and how the women were initiated and motivated to start their own business; What are all the government support schemes available to develop and improve the women entrepreneurship?; Who is the supporter of women enabled the women take to a business activity?; What are the problems and constraints they face?; To give suggest to the policy measurement of the development of Women entrepreneurship?